Irish poultry sector enjoys successful year

Ireland’s poultry sector enjoyed a year of rising production and strong exports in 2013, which made up for a drop in retail sales to the domestic market.

Poultry meat exports grew by 4% last year to €230m, according to the latest Export Performance and Prospects report from the Irish Food Board (Bord Bia).

While more than 80% of this trade was with the UK, the real growth area, says the report, was in sales of frozen chicken to continental Europe, especially France. This business was valued at €30m (£25m) and benefited in part from lower shipments to the EU from Brazil in 2013. Meanwhile, the home market for Irish poultry meat was subdued, with a 3% decline in retail sales, despite the fact that chicken prices run at less than 80% of the average meat price.

Bord Bia predicts a substantial 3% growth in global production of poultry meat in 2014, led by Brazil, China, India, Russia and the USA. "With global consumption also set to rise, the prospects for EU exports remains reasonably good, with increased shipments expected to Africa and Asia," the report stated. "These developments suggest that EU broiler prices may show modest growth in 2014."

For the Irish food market as a whole, the total value of exports was up 9% in 2013 to a record €10bn (£8bn), dominated by dairy products and beef. "This impressive growth in exports by our largest indigenous industry reflects its persistent focus on innovation and differentiation as it seeks, successfully, to boost its position across key markets," said Bord Bia chairman Michael Carey.